Headlines: Cheltenham Festival and 'one in a million' birth
Here is our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.
What have been the big stories in the West this week?
Cheltenham Festival has been the talk of the week. A man who got tickets for him and his dad but went alone after his father died has been viewed thousands of times. And Cheltenham Borough Council posted about its safe space for women under 18 during race week.There is just an 'E' left to paint before the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood is complete, Bristol Live reports. Work was abandoned because of protests by residents.Wiltshire 999s has published an article about a man admitting to having sex with a Shetland pony in a Wiltshire stables, who will be sentenced in May.ITV West Country has covered a 'one in a million' birth in Somerset. Five lambs have been born from the same ewe at a farm in Shapwick.And in more animal news – kind of – a video of Bristol comedian Jayde Adams singing Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' in a Bristol accent has gone super viral.
Top five local stories for the BBC in the West
Something longer to read
Somerset Live has published an article about how shopping and hospitality has changed since Covid. To mark five years since the beginning of the pandemic, the website has done a lookback on what has changed.
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North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Former trainer Peter Easterby dies aged 95
A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. Everyone at Great British Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary trainer, Peter Easterby, at the age of 95. The pioneer of one of British Racing's great dynasties, his pursuit of excellence will no doubt be continued by the generations to follow. Our thoughts… — Great British Racing (@GBRacing) June 9, 2025 'He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. 'A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather.' Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. 'We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together – you could say we were a good partnership,' said O'Neill. 'He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse – their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. 'It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. 'He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes.' O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: 'I saw Tim (Easterby) last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. 'It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it – he was a charming man.' Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: 'Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. 'Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. 'I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. 'He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way.' Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: 'Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities.'
Edinburgh Live
6 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Moving reason Princess Eugenie left an empty seat at her wedding
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info When Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank, the joyous occasion saw the entire Royal family gather to celebrate their union. The couple exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor nearly seven years ago, with a guest list that included Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royals, as well as celebrity friends like singer Robbie Williams and supermodel Cara Delevingne. Despite over 850 guests witnessing Eugenie and Jack exchange vows and rings, one peculiar detail caught the attention of many Royal enthusiasts. Although the bustling chapel was packed with attendees, one prime seat directly in front of the Queen remained vacant, despite it being the best spot in the house. Speculation was rife about the reason for the unoccupied seat, with some suggesting it was due to a no-show on the day, while others believed it was left empty as a tribute to a deceased relative. However, the real reason was actually rooted in tradition - the seat in front of the Queen was kept vacant so her view of the altar was unobstructed. This particular seat is also said to be one that the late Queen "didn't find comfortable", explaining why she chose to sit in the second row of pews. Historically, the Queen and the Royal family would occupy the right-hand choir pews at St George's Chapel, with the Queen seated on the far-right as the rest of the senior royals sat to her left, reports the Mirror. For Eugenie's wedding, the then-Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated in the second row. The bride's parents, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, were positioned in the front row with Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall, albeit further along the pew. This arrangement allowed the late Queen, who was only five foot three inches tall, a clear view of the ceremony. The same seat had been left vacant months earlier at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in the same chapel. The late monarch also notably occupied the same spot at Prince Philip's 2021 funeral, her husband of 73 years, sitting alone due to Covid social distancing measures. Buckingham Palace insiders reveal that the tradition of leaving the seat empty has continued since Charles ascended the throne. At Queen Elizabeth's committal service in 2022, shortly after her death, the chair in front of Charles was kept vacant. There have been instances where the Royal Family has paid tribute to the deceased by leaving a chair unoccupied. Since their glamorous 2018 wedding, Eugenie and Jack have become parents to two children. Their eldest son, August, was born in February 2021, and he became an older brother in May 2023 when Ernest was born. When Ernest was born, Eugenie revealed the meaning behind his full name: Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, stating: "He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald."
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Eugenie left an empty seat at her wedding - and it was all down to late Queen
When Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank, many were left puzzled by an empty seat in the front row of guests. As people speculated on the reason behind the unoccupied chair, it turns out the cause was a strict royal protocol from the Queen herself. When Princess Eugenie tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank, the joyous affair saw all the royal family in attendance to celebrate their union. Eugenie and Jack married in St. George's Chapel in Windsor almost seven years ago, with the guest list boasting Queen Elizabeth and other senior royals, as well as superstar royal friends such as singer Robbie Williams and supermodel Cara Delevingne. While more than 850 people were in attendance to watch Eugenie and Jack exchange vows and rings, one unusual detail caught the eye of many royal fans. Although the busy chapel was filled with guests, one prime seat directly in front of Queen Elizabeth was left empty, despite it being the best seat in the house. Many were quick to speculate on the reason behind the unoccupied seat, with some believing it was due to a no-show on the day, and others claiming it was left empty to pay respect to a deceased relative. However, it was actually due to tradition that the seat in front of her was kept empty so her view of the altar was not obstructed. This specific seat is also said to be one the late Queen 'didn't find comfortable', explaining why she opted to sit in the second row of pews. Historically, the Queen and the royal family would sit in the right hand choir pews at St George's Chapel, with the Queen sitting on the far-right as the rest of the senior royals sat to her left. For the occasion of Eugenie's nuptials, the then-Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined her in the second row. The bride's parents, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, sat in the front row alongside Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall, but they all sat further along the pew. This gave the late Queen, who stood at a mere five foot and three inches, an unobstructed view of the wedding ceremony. The same seat was also left empty months earlier when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in the same chapel. The late monarch also memorably sat in the same spot at the 2021 funeral of Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years, sitting alone in the pew due to Covid social distancing restrictions. According to sources at Buckingham Palace, the seat is still kept empty as the tradition has continued since Charles became King. At Queen Elizabeth's committal service in 2022 shortly after her passing, the chair in front of Charles was kept empty. There have also been occasions when the Royal Family has honoured the deceased by leaving a chair vacant. Since their star-studded wedding in 2018, Eugenie and Jack have welcomed two children. Their eldest son, August, was born in February 2021, and he became a big brother in May 2023 when Ernest was born. At the time of Ernest's birth, Eugenie explained the significance of his full name: Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank. She said: "He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald."
